NFL Rookie of the Year Watch: Kamara wrapping it up

By Hayden Bonine

Sports Blogger

@HaydenBonine

After entering the season as the third running back on the Saints’ depth chart, Alvin Kamara has been a stud. He has scored in six straight games for New Orleans. His team is 7-1 in games Kamara has scored. He has been one of the most productive players in the NFL in recent weeks, let alone the rookie class. Kamara has accumulated 1,220 yards of total offense on only 146 touches, and that translates to 8.4 yards per touch, by far the most in the NFL. It appears Kamara is wrapping up the Rookie of the Year Award race. Kamara will look to build onto his impressive season Thursday night in Atlanta.

Leonard Fournette ran for 57 yards and one touchdown in Jacksonville’s 30-10 victory Sunday. The Jaguars are 5-2 when Fournette rushes for more than 50 yards. Selected fourth overall, Fournette has been one of the most productive first year players. He is responsible for the fourth most carries, while ranking seventh in rushing yards and tied for third in rushing touchdowns. Fournette faces a tough matchup in the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Seattle employs the seventh-best run defense in the NFL.

It’s the same song, tenth verse for Kareem Hunt. Ten weeks is the amount of time since Hunt has scored a touchdown. It has been six straight weeks he has recorded less than 100 yards. Nonetheless, Hunt has 1,297 total yards on the season and is still third in rushing yards. Hunt appears to have slipped out of award contention despite getting off to one of the hottest starts in NFL rookie history. Kansas City hosts the Oakland Raiders and their 11th-ranked rush defense on Sunday afternoon.